Wise, Wiser, Wisely
is used of (a) God, Rom 16:27; in 1Ti 1:17; Jud 1:25 sophos is absent, in the best mss. (see the RV), the comparative degree, sophoteros, occurs in 1Co 1:25, where “foolishness” is simply in the human estimate; (b) spiritual teachers in Israel, Mat 23:34; (c) believers endowed with spiritual and practical wisdom, Rom 16:19; 1Co 3:10; 1Co 6:5; Eph 5:15; Jam 3:13; (d) Jewish teachers in the time of Christ, Mat 11:25; Luk 10:21; (e) the naturally learned, Rom 1:14,Rom 1:22; 1Co 1:19-20,1Co 1:26-27; 1Co 3:18-20.
“prudent, sensible, practically wise,” Mat 7:24; Mat 10:16; Mat 24:45; Mat 25:2,Mat 25:4,Mat 25:8-9; Luk 12:42; Luk 16:8 (comparative degree, phronimoteros); 1Co 10:15; in an evil sense, “wise (in your own conceits),” lit., “wise (in yourselves),” i.e., “judged by the standard of your self-complacency,” Rom 11:25; Rom 12:16; ironically, 1Co 4:10; 2Co 11:19.
denotes “a Magian,” one of a sacred caste, originally Median, who apparently conformed to the Persian religion while retaining their old beliefs; it is used in the plural, Mat 2:1,Mat 2:7,Mat 2:16 (twice), “wise men.” See also SORCERER.
is rendered “to make wise” in 2Ti 3:15 see DEVISED.
“to perceive, understand,” is used negatively in 2Co 10:12, AV, “are not wise” (RV, “are without understanding”). See UNDERSTAND.
“wisely” (akin to A, No. 2), occurs in Luk 16:8.